Shaft bearing structure



April 8, 1952 E. E. 'BRowN 2,592,387

I 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET l .April 8, 1952 E. E. BROWN 2,592,387

- sHAFT BEARING STRUCTURE Filed July l, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 FIG. 3.

v V lNvENToR.

Earl f-E. Brown ATTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 8, 1952 SHAFT BEARING STRUCTURE Earl E. Brown, Camden, N.J., assignor ofonehalf to George A. Streitz, Camden, N. J.

Application July 1, 1948,'Serial No. 36,471

19 Clams.

This invention relates to improvements in shaft hearing Structures.

' The primary ohject of the invention is the provision of an improvedhearing arrangement for shafts having improved means to prevent accessof external liquids, etc. to the hearing structure.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improvedhearing structure for shafts having improved luhricant sealing meansassociated therewith.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improvedhearing structure for pump shafts having improved means associatedtherewith to prevent loss of luhricant and to prevent access of externalliquids and dehris, suchas acids, etc. to the hearing structure.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improved oilseal construction for reduction gear and high speed transmission shafthearings.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, andwherein similar reference characters designate corresponding partsthruout the several views,

Figure l is a cross sectional view taken thru an improved structure forshafts, such as are generally associated with pumps, showingv theimproved labyrinth structure for excluding external liquids, such asacids, etc. from the hearing and luhricating portions of the structure.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the hearing.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken thru a hearing structure forthe drive shafts of reduction gearing and high speed transmissions,showing improved hearing supporting means, and improved lahyrinth typemeans for controlling luhricant and excluding access of foreignmaterials to the hearing structure.

Figure 4. is a fragmentary end elevation of the hearing structure.

Figure 5 is a modified form of invention.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part oflthis specification, andwherein are shown different forms of the invention, the letter A maygenerally designate an improved type of hearing structure adapted forassociation with pumps and the like, and B may indicate an improvedhearing structure for use in connection with drive shafts of reductiongearing, and transmission mechanism.

It is well known that in connection with the pumping of such fiuids asacids, sometimes the acid Will creep along the shaft and enter thehearing housing With destructive results. While I do not intend myselfto he limited to any particular type of hearing housing structure forsupporting the pump shaft, the type shown in Figures 1 and 2 of thedrawings anticipate the use of a housing l0 having a rear supportingsingle shield hearing (not shown) associated therewith for supportingthe shaft C. The invention resides in the improved front hearingstructure A, shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The shaft C includes a pump shaft portion I I, the intermediate shaftportion l2 and the bearing shaft extension 13, which are of successivelygreater diameter. The hearing proper D is located on the shaft portion|2 and includes an inner race l4 engaging against the shoulder |5 at thejuncture of the shaft portions l2 and 13. It furthermore includes anouter race ll and the hall hearings .IB between the races. The hearing Dis of the single shield type, the shield 29 of which faces the fronthearing cap in order to prevent loss of lubricant. The portion l2 of theshaft is threaded at 22 for receiving a lock nut 24 which clamps a lockwasher 25 against the inner race. The threading is counter to thedirection of shaft rotation.

An improved hearing cap E is provided as part of the front hearingstructure including the external hody portion 25a which has anexternally threaded huh 26Zl for receiving a sleeve portion 26 adaptedto fit in the passageway 27 of the end portion 28 of the housing IB. Theend 28 is enlarged to detachahly but snugly receive the sleeve portion26 therein. The hub 26a is provided With a right angled shoulder 29lying in a plane to the axis of the shaft which ahuts against the outerrace l'l to hold it in position. The sleeve 26 has an inner flangedextension 2611 to hold the outer race in position. Sleeve 2G is lookedin position upon the huh 26a hy means of a hollow head set screw 261).The body portion 25a of the cap E is provided with a plurality ofopenings for receiving attaching cap screws 30, shown hest in Figure 2of the drawings, and in dotted lines in Figure 1; said screws 30 beingof the type to screw thread into suitable screw threaded sockets (notshown) located in the portion 28 of the housing lll, as will he quiteapparent from Figures 1 and 2.

The cap E is recessed at 35 wherein is received the nut 24. The cap wall36 is provided with an opening 31 to receive the shaft portion l2therethru With approximately se clearance, and the outer face of thewall 36 is provided with a groove 40 of a. predetermined width. Thisgroove forms part of the labyrinth way in cooperation with the labyrinthring F to be subsequently described. The cap has an end extension 4!projecting forwardly beyond the end face of slinger F. Its lower portionterminates in a drain spout 42.

The ring F is provided with a hub portion 50 having a passageway 5|which has a driven fit upon the shaft portion l l, with the inner wall52 thereof abutting against the shoulder 53 at the juncture of the shaftportions II and l2. The ring structure F further has a ring portion 58lying over the forward end of the shaft portion |2 in a clearanceproviding spaced relation therewith; this clearance, designated at 56,being preferahly 1454. The labyrinth ring furthermore includes arearwardly extending reduced flange 60 extending into the labyrinthgroove 40, with the inner and outer peripheral surfaces and the rearmarginal surface thereof spaced from the complementary facing surfacesof the groove 40; the clearance spacing being substantially ale", asdesignated by the numeral 62 in Figure l. The ring F furthermoreincludes a slinger flange63 lying within the opening defined by the endportion 4l of the cap E.

The lubricant in the housing l is normally maintained at the oil levelshown hy the dot and dash line in Figure 1. Any acid or other fluidscreeping along the shaft ll towards the hearing cap will becentrifugally thrown hy the slinger flange 63 into the face opening ofthe cap E and drain from the spout 42. Any tendency of destructiveliquids or debris to enter the hearing structure will he prevented byreason of the tortuous or labyrinth way provided through the spacing ofthe labyrinth ring and cap With respect to each other and with respectto the shafting portion l2.

Referring to the hearing structure for reduction gear housings andtransmission housings as shown in Figures 3 to inclusive, the shaftGincludes a driven portion 80; intermediate hearing portions 81 and Bla,and the rear portion 82. I

preferably employ a tapered roller hearing structure H located upon theshaft portion 8] and within an improved hearing sleeve K mounted withinthe end wall 84 of a housing L. An end cap M is provided for receivinglabyrinth type inner and outer rings N and P in a manner tobesuhsequently described.

The housing L upon the wall 84 is provided with a hearing hub 85 fordetachably receiving the sleeve body 86 therein. The hearing sleeve Kwhich is to be considered part of the cap structure includes anattaching flange 81 adapted to lie over the outer face of the wall 84,as shown in Figure 3. It is attached to the housing by means of the capscrews which also secure the body of the end cap M to the housing.

The hearing H is of the tapered roller type and includes an inner race88 which has a driven flt upon the portion SIP- of the shaft G, inahutment against the shoulder 89. The tapered rollers 90 have their axeslocated divergently in the direction of the shaft portion 80 and theouter race 9! thereof is located within the hearing sleeve portion 86,resting against a shoulder 92 provided upon an inwardly extendingannular flange 93 thereof. The flange 93 has a reduced shield or haflieflange 94 extending in a plane normal to the axis of the shaft G andspaced from the roller hearing structure I-I; the same having an opening95 for receiving the shaft portion 8!a therein, with a clearance of 116(designated by numeral 96) shown in Figure 3.

The cap M includes a labyrinth ring receivingl body portion l05 havingat its rear end the flange l06 adapted to overlie the flange 81 of thehearing sleeve K. Bolts l01, shown in Figure 4, are used to bolt the capM and sleeve K to the mounting portion of the housing L. A centeringextension H0 is annularly provided upon the inner face of the cap Madapted to seat in a suitable complementary recess provided in theflange 81 of the hearing sleeve K, as shown in Figure 3.

An inner labyrinth type lubricant slinger ring N has a sliding fit uponthe portion 8| of the shaft, abutting against a shoulder H2 provided atthe juncture of the portion 8! and 8| of the shaft G. The outerlabyrinth ring P is provided with a body portion H5 internally screwthreaded, counter to direction of shaft rotation, at H8 for screwthreading upon the screw threaded portion l |1 of the shaft portion 80,and is adapted to hold the ring N against the shoulder I [2.

The rings N and P have interfitting fianged connections with the cap, toprovide tortuous ways to prevent access of fluids and foreign materialinto the hearing structure and also leakage of lubricant from thehearing structure. To that end the cap hody portion [05 is provided withthe inner and outer labyrinth grooves l20 and l2l, respectively facingaxially of the shaft and adapted to respectively receive the annularflanged portions |22 and 23 of the rings N and P respectively. The outerflanges |22 and 23 face normal to the planes of the body portions oftheir respective rings, and the rings N and P are furthermore providedwith inner flanges |30 and |3| respectively. The flanges |22 and |30 ofthe ring (N) provide a groove 134 for receiving flange l36 of thehearing cap, and the flanges [23 and |3l define a groove 140 forreceiving an end flange |4| of the hearing cap. Thus, the innerstructure of the cap M together with the labyrinth rings N and P haveinterfitting fianges defining a tortuous way between the facing wallsthereof which opens into the compartment |00 and also externally of thecap, as is quite ohvious from Figure 3 of the drawings. In effect thisis a double labyrinth path, the inner way preventing egress of lubricantand the outer way preventing ingress of fluds, etc. In the compartment|00 the ring N further has a slinger fiange l52 for the purpose ofthrowing off lubricant into the space [00. This ring projects heyond theplane of the inner wall |53 of the cap.

Similarly the ring P has a slinger flange (55 on the outer or forwardend thereof lyng entirely within the opening 156 in the outer end of thecap body l05. Indeed, it is to be noted that the entire labyrinth ringstructure N lies within this opening |56.

A modification is shown in Figure 5, since in some cases it may henecessary to provide a nut I 60 and lock washer |6| for the purpose ofretaining the inner race 88IL of the hearing structure upon the shaftportion 8lb. This hearing structure can he of the type shown, or singleor double roller type. Of course in such case the shaft will he screwthreaded at |82 to receive the nut [60. Furthermore, the seal or bailiewall 94a which corresponds to the Wall or flange 94 above described forthe form of invention shown in Figure 3, will he forwardly sloped. Itsclearance opening is preferahly 116.

The form of invention B utilizes the splash system of lubrication. Oilpasses thru the space 96 i: into .the compartment H10 hut, .ofc.o,urse,.. drains .therefrom lthrualower drain passageway H0 shown inFigure 3 which is extended thru the hearing sleeve and the hub portionofthe housing L, as shown. A haffle flange IH is provided upon the innerwa1l.of.the-housing in the vcinity of the outlet of drainr passageway H0to prevent .lubricantffrom being splashed up thru the passageway H0.

.In connection with the typeofhearing structure B, there-isvmorerradial-.and thrust load-on the hearing at the coupling end of: thelshaft, and more oil is constantly receivedon the hearing. This, ofcourse, lessens the'wear'upon. the parts,

-asis qui-te'ohvious.

Various changes in the shape; size and arrangement ofuparts'may bemade'to the form of the .inventionfl hereinv shown and described without-departing from the spirit of Athe inventionor the scope of thefollowing claiins.

I claim:

1; In. a hearing structure the'icomhination of ay housing, a shaft, ahearing mounted upon'the shaft, a housing -attaching cap structurehaving a portion extending into the housing for receiving the hearingtherein, and a slingor ring mounted upon said shaft and rotatabletherewith disposed at the outer end of said cap structure, said slingorring and cap structure being provided with interfitting relativelyspaced fianges defining a labyrinth passageway to prevent access ofexternal matter to the hearing, and a luhricant shield located at theside of the hearing facng: the slinger ring to prevent leakage ofluhricant from the .housing past said-hearing.

2. In a hearing structure the comhinationrof a iluhricant receivinghousing, a shaft, a hearing structure including an inner race mountedupon the shaft, hearings upon said inner race, and an outer race, adetachahle cap structure for the housing including a sleeve fitted intothe housing .providing an internal seat within which the outer race ofthe hearing rests, a ring mounted upon said shaft at theouter end of thecap and connected to the shaft for rotation therewith, said .capstructure and said ring having interfitting fianges provided withrelatively facing spaced surfaces defining a tortuous lahyrinthpassageway opening externally and internally of said cap.

3. In a hearing structure for pumps and the .like the combination of aluhricant receiving housing having an end opening, a shaft including anouter portion, an interinediate larger diametered portion, and an innerportion of greater diameter than the intermediate portion, the juncturesof all said portions defining shoulders facing longitudinally of theshaft, a hearing structure including an. inner racev mounted upon theintermediate shaft portion, a hearing cap including a sleeve portionfitting into. the housing end opening, the hearing structure includingan outer race fitted into the sleeve of the hearing cap and resting atits outer side against said cap, a seal disc at the outer side of thehearing-structure engaging the outer race, means on the shaft to holdthe inner race against the shoulder hetween the intermedi-ate'vshaftportion and the inner shaft portion, a slinger ring mounted upon theouter shaft portion engaging the shoulder between the outer shaftportion and intermediate shaft portion, said slinger ring and outerwailof the hearing cap having interfitting fianges the surfaces of whichare-slightly spaced from each other to define a lahyrinth passagewayopening wex'ternally of the..;cap-.and1intot the space. between:then-.hearing vcap front wallv and. external -periphery 1'ofi-thefintermediate shaft portion.

4. In a hearing structure for reduction gear sageway, anend cap, meansdetachahly mounting :the endcap and the hearing sleeve upon thehousing,- ,a hearing structure mountedupon'said shaft and seated withinsaid hearing sleeve, an inner :slingor ring mounted upon'said shaft atthe inner .sidefiof the capfan outer slinger ring mounted upon-.theshaft atthe outer side of the cap, said :cap.;having a wall portiondisposed between said slingor rings, and said wall portion and theslinger .rings having -interfitting flanges the facing sur- .facesof-whichare closely spaced with shallow clearance to^-provide a tortuouspassageway. w 5.,In a. hearing structure the combination of -afshaft ahousing having a passageway to receive'the. 'shaft'therethru a hearingsleeve deta-ohahly mounted in said passageway, an end cap'rneansdetachahly mounting the end cap and lthe hearing sleeve upon thehousing, a hearing .structure mounted upon said shaft and seatedwithin'isaid hearing' sleeve,'an inner slnger ring imounted upon saidVshaft at. the inner side of the cap; an outer slinger ring mounted uponthe shaftxat the outer side of the cap, said cap having a: wall portiondisposed between said slinger rings, and said wall portion and theslinger rings having interfitting' flanges the facing surfaces of which.are, closely 'spaced' with shallow clearances :tom-provide a 'tortuouspassageway, opening into the hearing. sleeve and also externally of saidcap. f .6:In a hearing structure the combination of a shaft, a housinghaving a passageway to receive the1shaft therethru, a hearing sleevedetachahly |mountedin'said passageway, an end cap, means detachahlymounting the end cap and the hearngisleeve .upon the housing, a hearingstructure .mounted upon said shaft and seated within said hearingsleeve, an inner slinger ring mounted .upon said' shaft at the innerside of the cap, an .outer slinger-ring mounted upon the shaft at the.outer side of the cap, said' cap having a wall por- .tiondisposedhetween said slinger rings, and said -wall 'portion and theslingorV rings having interfitting -fianges the facing'surfaces of whichare closely spaced with shallow clearances to provide a-'tortuouspassageway, said sleeve having an annul'ar luhricanthaifle Vfiangedisposed therein immediatelyat the outer,V side'of the hearing struc-.turer which is spaced from the hearing cap and rinner slinger ring,said hafiie flange having a passageway therethru slightly cleari'ng saidshaft to provide a shallow-'luhricant'passageway between the: hearingstructure and' the space between the .haifle ilangev andv cap andv innerslingor ring.

7; In a'bearing structurethe*combination of a shaft, ett-housingy havinga passageway to receive thetshaft therethru, a hearing sleeve detachahlymounted in saidpassageway, an end cap, means detachahly menn-ting theendcap and the hearing sleeve v upon the housing, a hearing structuremounted upon' said shaft and seated within said hearing sleeve, an innerslinger ringl mounted upon said shaft at the inner side of the cap, anouter slinger-ringrmounted upon the shaft at the outer: Side'of thecap,said cap having a wall portion disposed between said slinger rings, and.said wall portion and the slinger rings having interfitting-flanges thefacingV surfaces of which are aeassv lclosely spaced with shallowclearances to provide a tortuous passageway, the labyrinth passagewayhaving external and internal opening to said housing.

8. In a hearing structure the combination of a shaft having outer, innerand intermediate shaft portions of different diameters definingoutwardly facing shoulders at the junctures thereof, a housing having ashaft receiving passageway therethru, a detachable hearing sleevemounted in said passageway having an internal annular flangeintermediate the ends thereof, a hearing structure mounted upon theintermediate part of said shaft resting against the shoulder between theintermediate and inner portions of said shaft and supported within thehearing sleeve in partial spaced relation with respect to the saidflange, said flange having a passageway for receiving the intermediateshaft portion with a slight lubricant passageway clearance, an end cap,means detachahly connecting the end cap and hearing sleeve to thehousing, an inner ring having a sliding fit on the outer portion of theshaft in engagement with the shoulder between the outer and intermediateshaft portions, an outer ring having a threaded engagement with theouter shaft portion and engaging the inner ring to force it against thelast mentioned shoulder, said cap having a wall portion between the saidrings, and said rings and said cap wall portion having interfittingflanges the surfaces of which are in slightly spaced relation to providea tortuous labyrinth type passageway which opens externally of the capand internally within said hearing sleeve.

9. In a hearing structure the combination of a shaft having outer, innerand intermediate shaft portions of different diameters definingoutwardly facing shoulders at the junctures thereof, a housing having ashaft receiving passageway therethru, a detachahle hearing sleevemounted in said passageway having an internal annular fiangeintermediate the ends thereof, a hearing structure mounted upon. theintermediate part of said shaft resting against the shoulder between theintermediate and inner portions of said shaft and supported within thehearing sleeve in partial spaced relation with respect to the saidfiange, said flange having a passageway for receiving the intermediateshaft portion with a slight lubricant passageway clearance, an end cap,means detachahly connecting the end cap and hearing sleeve to thehousing, an inner ring having a, sliding fit on the outer portion of theshaft in engagement with the shoulder between the outer and intermediateshaft portions, an outer ring having a threaded engagement with theouter shaft portion-and engaging the inner ring to force it against thelast mentioned shoulder, said cap having a Wall portion between the saidrings, and said rings and said cap wall portion having interfittingflanges the surfaces of which are in slightly spaced relation to providea tortuous labyrinth type passageway which opens externally of the capand internally within said hearing sleeve, said rings having inner andouter slinger flanges thereon.

10. In a hearing structure the combination of a shaft having outer,inner and intermediate shaft portions of different diameters definingoutwardly facing shoulders at the junctures thereof, a housing having ashaft receiving passageway therethru, a detachahle hearing sleevemounted in said passageway having an internal annular flangeintermediate the ends thereof, a hearing structure mounted upon theintermediate part of said shaft resting against the shoulder between theintermediate and inner portions of said shaft and supported within thehearing sleeve in partial spaced relation with respect to the saidfiange, said flange having a passageway for receiving the intermediateshaft portion with a slight lubricant passageway clearance, an end cap,means detachahly connecting the end cap and hearing sleeve to thehousing, an inner ring having a sliding fit on the outer portion of theshaft in engagement with the shoulder between the outer and intermediateshaft portions, an outer ring having a threaded engagement with theouter shaft portion and engaging the inner ring to force it against thelast mentioned shoulder, said cap having a wall portion between the saidrings, and said rings and said cap wall portion having interfittingflanges the surfaces of which are in slightly spaced relation to providea tortuous labyrinth type passageway which opens externally of the capand internally within said hearing sleeve, said rings having inner andouter slinger flanges thereon, and said hearing sleeve and housinghaving a lubricant drain passageway at the lower portion opening intothe space between the inner slinger ring and the bafile fiange and intothe housing below the hearing structure.

11. In a hearing structure the combination of a shaft having outer,inner and intermediate shaft portions of different diameters definingoutwardly facing shoulders at the junctures thereof, a housing having ashaft receiving passageway therethru, a detachable hearing sleevemounted in said passageway having an internal annular flangeintermediate the ends thereof, a hearing structure mounted upon theintermediate part of said shaft resting against the shoulder between theintermediate and inner portions of said shaft and supported within thehearing sleeve in partial spaced relation with respect to the saidflange, said fiange having a passageway for receiving the intermediateshaft portion with a slight lubricant passageway clearance, an end cap,means detachahly connecting the end cap and hearing sleeve to thehousing, an inner ring having a sliding fit on the outer portion of theshaft in engagement with the shoulder between the outer and intermediateshaft portions, an outer ring having a threaded engagement with theouter shaft portion and engaging the inner ring to force it against thelast mentioned shoulder, said cap having a wall portion between the saidrings, and said rings and said cap wall portion having interfitting-flanges the surfaces of which are in slightly spaced relation toprovide a tortuous labyrinth type passageway which opens externally ofthe cap and internally within said hearing sleeve, said rings havinginner and outer slinger flanges thereon, and said hearing sleeve andhousing having a lubricant drain passageway at the lower portion openinginto the space between the inner slinger ring and the baffie flange andinto the housing below the hearing structure, and a baflle upon saidhousing to prevent lubricant from entering the lower portion of saiddrain passageway.

12. In a hearing structure the combination of a shaft, a housing havinga shaft receiving passageway therethru, a detachahle hearing sleevemounted in said hearing shaft passageway, an end shaft, means detachahlyconnecting the end shaft and hearing sleeve upon said housing, saidhearing sleeve having an internal annular flange dividing the hearingsleeve into a forward compartment facing within the housing and an outercompartment facing said cap, a hearing structure mounted upon the shaftand upon the hearing sleeve within the housing facing compartment of thehearing sleeve, the said hearing sleeve fiange having a slight clearancebetween the surface thereof facing the shaft to provide a lubricantpassageway between the two compartments provided by the hearing sleeve,and means providing a drain passageway from the compartment hetween thesaid flange and the cap for luhricant return to the housing.

13. In a hearing structure the combination of a shaft, a housing havinga shaft receiving passageway therethru, a detachahle hearing sleevemounted in said hearing shaft passageway, an end shaft, means detachablyconnecting the end shaft and hearing sleeve upon said housing, saidhearing sleeve having an internal annular flange dividing the hearingsleeve into a forward compartment facing within the housing and an outercompartment facing said cap, a hearing structure mounted upon the shaftand upon the hearing sleeve within the housing facing compartment of thehearing sleeve, the said hearing sleeve flange having a slight clearancebetween the surface thereof facing the shaft to provide a luhricantpassageway between the two compartments provided hy the hearing sleeve,and means providing a drain passageway from the compartment hetween thesaid flange and the cap for lubricant return to the housing, and slingerring means associated with the cap upon the housing providing internaland external slinger flanges.

14. In a hearing structure the combination of a shaft, a housing havinga passageway thru which the shaft extends, a hearing sleeve mounted insaid passageway, means for attaching the hearing sleeve to the housing,a hearing structure mounted upon the shaft and within the hearing sleeveincluding an inner race, said shaft being provided with a shoulder toreceive the inner end of said race, a nut screw threaded upon said shaftengaging the outer end of the inner race to clamp the same against saidshoulder. said hearing sleeve having a bafile wall internally thereof atthe outer side of the bearing structure and beyond said nut having apassageway the walls of which slightly clear the shaft to define aluhricant way, and means at the outer end of said hearing sleeveassociated with said shaft to prevent external loss of lubricant andprevent internal admission of matter to the hearing structure.

15. In a hearing structure the combination of a housing, a shaft, ahearing structure including an inner race, hearing elements and hanouter race, means securing the inner race upon said shaft, an end capdetachably secured to the housing having an inwardly extending hubagainst which the outer side of the outer race engages, said hub beingexternally screw threaded, and a sleeve threaded upon said hub threadsand within which the outer periphery of the outer race rests, saidsleeve having an inwardly extending flange against Which the inner sideof the outer race rests, to hold said outer race in position.

16. In a hearing structure the combination of a housing, a shaft, ahearing mounted upon the shaft, a housing attaching cap structureexternally of the housing having a portion secured thereto extendinginto the housing for receiving the hearing therein, and a slinger ringmounted upon said shaft and rotatahle therewith disposed at the outerend of said cap structure, said slinger ring and cap structure beingprovided with interfitting relatively spaced flanges defining alabyrinth passageway to prevent access of external matter to thehearing.

17. In a hearing structure the combination of a housing, a shaft, ahearing in the housing mounted upon the shaft, a housing attaching capstructure connected to the housing and surrounding said shaft, saidshaft having thereon an annular shoulder facing longitudinally of theshaft in the direction of said cap structure, and a slinger ring mountedupon said shaft and rotatahle therewith and engaged against said annularshoulder, said slinger ring being disposed within the cap structure, andsaid slinger ring and said cap structure being provided withinterfitting relatively spaced fianges defining a labyrinth passagewayto prevent access of external matter to the hearing.

18. In a hearing structure the combination of a housing, a shaft, ahearing mounted upon said shaft and within said housing, a housingattaching cap structure detachahly connected to said housing having anouter end flanged extension projecting parallel with the axis of theshaft, and a slinger ring mounted upon said shaft and rotatahletherewith and disposed between the shaft and the inner surface of saidflange, the outer surface of the slinger ring being entirely exposedlongitudinally of the shaft and unohstructed hy said housing fiangedextension, said slinger ring and cap structure being provided withinter-fitting relatively spaced flanges defining a lahyrinth passagewayto prevent access of external matter to the hearing.

19. In a hearing structure the combination of a housing having apassageway therein, a shaft rotatably disposed in said housing andspaced from the walls of said passageway. a hearing mounted upon saidshaft, a housing attaching cap structure having a sleeve portionconnected therewith disposed in engagementv Within the passageway of thehousing and internally thereof supporting said hearing, said housingattaching cap structure including a cap body connected to said sleeve,means in said housing attaching cap structure to haflle the fiow oflubricant from the outer side of said hearing, said cap body at theouter end thereof having an annular fiange extending parallel to theaxis of the shaft 1and defining a chamher therein, a slinger ringmounted upon said shaft for rotation therewith and disposed within saidchamber of the cap body, said slinger ring and cap body being providedwith inter-fitting relatively spaced flanges defining a labyrinthpassageway to prevent access of external matter to the hearing.

EARL E. BROWN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

